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Three-Day Event Boasts Fashion Shows, Music Performances and More Celebrity Guests Than Ever Before April 12-14

Triangle residents have the rare chance to mingle with model Tyson Beckford and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks at the Southern Women’s Show, April 12-14 at the NC State Fairgrounds. On Saturday, April 13, Beckford will take the stage to talk to fans about his successful modeling career and current nonprofit efforts. Hicks, a former musician turned food show host and restaurant owner, will be cooking up new family-friendly recipes on the Food Lion Kitchen Stage. Beckford and Hicks join previously announced celebrities Jenna Cooper from The Bachelor and Monte Durham from Say Yes to the Dress, as well as endless shopping, entertainment and giveaways throughout the three-day Show.

Tyson Beckford first rose to fame as a Ralph Lauren Polo model, and has since hosted the Bravo show, Make Me a Supermodel and appeared in the National RESPECT! Campaign against domestic violence. He also earned credits as an actor and producer for box office hits “Into the Blue” and “Zoolander.” Currently, Beckford serves as an ambassador for the nonprofit Kick 4 Life, an organization that uses the power of soccer to engage vulnerable youth in holistic care and support in Lesotho in southern Africa. He will be onstage Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. for a brief peek into his acting and charity work, followed by an audience Q&A and photo opportunities. Beckford’s biggest fans can also purchase a VIP experience prior to his stage performance for $35, which includes a private meet-and-greet with Tyson, a signed headshot, reserved seating during his stage performance, a Southern Women’s Show bag and full-day pass to all the Show has to offer.

Taylor Hicks is the winner of American Idol’s fifth season, which produced other top musicians, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler, and is the highest-rated season in the show’s run to-date. Since winning American Idol, Hicks has released two independent albums, one major label debut album and performed on Broadway and a national tour for the musical Grease. In 2016, he launched a cooking show called State Plate that celebrates culinary traditions from all 50 states, which is now entering its third season. He is also a partner at SAW’s Juke Joint, a casual barbeque restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, where he helped create a menu featuring the best of barbeque and Southern flavors to share with his hometown. Show attendees can catch this musician turned food fanatic on the Food Lion Kitchen Stage at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13.

“The 2019 Show marks the most celebrity guests we’ve ever had at the Southern Women’s Show!” said Casey Harper, Southern Women’s Show manager. “Plus, this year, our celebrities are even more integrated into the different aspects of the Show, so fans can catch them on stage for Q&As, in the Dancing Like the Stars competition or on the Food Lion Kitchen Stage.”

The Southern Women’s Show runs Friday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for a reduced rate of $10 prior to the Show and can be purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $12. Tickets for children ages six through 12 are always $6 and children under the age of six can attend free of charge with a paying adult. Bulk ticket purchases and VIP passes can also be purchased online. Parking at the NC State Fairgrounds is free, and the main parking lot is located on Trinity Road. For more information, visit www.SouthernWomensShow.com.